Head for a molding machine



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Unitcd States Patent 3,116,521 HEAD FOR A MOLDING MACHINE Russell W.Taccone, Erie, Pa., assignor to Taccone Corporation, Erie, Pa.,acorporation of Pennsylvania Filed July 10, 1961, Ser. No. 123,041 1Claim. (Cl. 22-42) This invention relates to molding machines and, moreparticularly, to the type of molding machine disclosed in Patent No.2,588,669.

In the said patent, a molding machine is disclosed wherein a head isshown having a downwardly opening cavity with a sheet like diaphragmdisposed across the cavity and having its edges attached to theperiphery thereof.

The present invention discloses a molding machine wherein a diaphragm ismade up of a sheet like member formed with a hollow therein and having ahole therein with the hole coextensive with an opening for admitting airor fluid to the diaphragm. This structure makes it unnecessary toprovide an elongated seal around the periphery of the head. It also putsthe sealing joint up inside the head where it is out of the reach of themolding sand and eliminates any possibility of too great a pressure onthe diaphragm because of stress transmitted thereto by the molding headengaging the sand. Further, by controlling the pressure inside thediaphragm, the peen blocks around the outside of the head can be made toenter the sand to a greater degree.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide animproved molding head.

Another object of the invention is to provide a head for a moldingmachine which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, andsimple and efficient to use.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consistsof the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fullydescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and more particularlypointed out in the appended claim, it being understood that changes maybe made in the form, size, proportions, and minor details ofconstruction without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIGS. 1 to 5 inclusive show separate embodiments of the invention.

Now with more specific reference to the drawing, the molding machineshown in FIG. 1 has a head having a downwardly opening cavity thereinterminating around its edge in a rim 11 having an open peen frame 12which may be attached thereto by means of bolts 14. The peen frame couldbe made as an integral part of the head. The frame 12 is intended tocompress the sand immediately around the inside of the flask. An opening16 is provided in the head 10. The opening 16 communicates with a pipe17 which may be attached to a downwardly moving ram or it could be fixedto a molding machine. The opening 16 is connected to a source ofcompressed air.

A diaphragm 18 is in the form of a ball shown by way of example as onesingle thickness of material having an opening 19 therein coextensivewith the opening in the head. Around this opening is disposed a plate 20which sandwiches the diaphragm 18 therebetween. The diaphragm will bemade of plural layers in many instances.

A plurality of sleeves 21 extend through openings in the diaphragm 18and engage the plate 20 and the head 10 and thereby limit the spacingbetween the plate 20 and the head to prevent undue stress on thediaphragm. A bolt 22 extends through the head 10 and into the plate 20and clamps the plate thereto. Therefore, when the head comes down in aloaded flask, the frame 12 first engages the sand and compresses itaround the outer periphery of 3,116,521 Patented Jan. 7, 1964 "ice thesand and forms a groove around this periphery. Then the pressure can beapplied to the diaphragm which will force the sand down and cause it toflow to the various parts of the mold to provide a mold of the desireddensity.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2 discloses a moldingmachine having a plural layer diaphragm 118 therein. The diaphragm 118has an opening therein coextensive with a hole 116. A ring 120 surroundsthe hole 116 and is clamped by bolts 122 to sandwich the diaphragmbetween the ring 120 and the head. A peen frame 112 is attached to anouter rim 111 on the head and the function of this is similar to thefunction of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. That is, the head isattached to the molding machine at 117.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a head 210 has a peen frame 212attached to a rim 211 and held thereon by bolts 214. A plural layerdiaphragm 218 is attached by means of bolts 222 which extend throughholes in an inwardly directed flange 226 and through a ring 220 to clampthe diaphragm 218 between the ring 220 and the head 210. Sleeves 221hold the ring and head in spaced position. The sleeves serve the samefunction as the sleeves shown in FIG. 1. The head has an outer top cover230 which may be attached to the head of a molding machine with anO-ring 233 therebetween to form a seal and an opening 234 supplies airto an opening 235 in the head to direct air therein.

The head 210 has an inwardly directed flange 236 adjacent to its openingwhich underlies the diaphragm 218 so that the diaphragm will rest onthis flange when in a partially inflated position. Thus, the flange willkeep the diaphragm from engaging the sand too near the outer edgethereof.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, a head 310 is shownhaving a support 317 for attaching it to a molding machine. A peen frame312 is attached to the head by means of bolts 314 which underlie thebottom of a diaphragm 318. The diaphragm is in the form of a closed balllike container which may contain fluid such as a liquid or a gas underpressure in the inside 344] thereof.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, a head 410 has anopen peen frame 412 attached by bolts 414 through the lower end of therim at 411. The head has an inwardly directed flange 431 which underliesa multi-layer diaphragm 418 which is generally U-shaped in crosssection. This shape could be varied to suit the particular case. Theedges thereof are shown clamped to the inside edges of the head 410between clamping rings 420 by means of bolts 422 and sleeves 421 tolimit the compression force on the diaphragm.

The head may be clamped against the top of a molding machine or a plenumchamber by suitable means with an O-Shaped sealing washer 433therebetween and an opening 434 admits air from a suitable source.

The foregoing specification sets forth the invention in its preferredpractical forms but the structure shown is capable of modificationwithin a range of equivalents without departing from the invention whichis to be understood is broadly novel as is commensurate with theappended claim.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as ollows:

A molding machine comprising a molding head adapted to overlie a flaskand compress sand therein, said head having a downwardly opening chamberdefined by a downwardly facing top surface and inwardly facing,generally flat side surfaces terminating in a rim, an open peen frameattached to said rim, said peen frame being adapted to fit inside aflask, and a diaphragm attached to the inside of said head up inwardlyfrom said rim and extending downwardly along said side surfacesoutwardly to form a closure for fluid whereby sand may be compressed bysaid diaphragm, said rim underlying a part of said diaphragm adjacentsaid sand, said head having an inwardly extending flange attached to theinside surface of said head intermediate the top and bottom, saiddiaphragm resting against the lower side of said flange and fixedthereto, a sealing ring disposed around the inner edge of an opening insaid diaphragm, bolts extending through said diaphragm, and sleevesaround said bolts engaging said ring and holding it in spaced relationto said flange.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS JonesFeb. 16, 1937 Reed June 17, 1958 Ferris Aug. 9, 1960 Rekart Dec. 6, 1960Taccone Dec. 6, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Sweden July 18, 1913 Germany Jan.11, 1951

